1849. Patrick Frazer Tytler, the Scottish historian, died.
1849. Great fire at San Francisco; property destroyed valued at a million and a half of dollars.
1851. The principal room of the library of Congress was destroyed by fire.
DECEMBER 25.
The commencement of what is usually called the vulgar era, was four years prior to the date now used as the beginning of the Christian era.
98. Christ mass was first used as a festival.
283. Marcus Aurelius Carus, the Roman emperor, killed by lightning, beyond the Tigris.
400. Gainas, a Goth of great valor, killed. He became a general under Arcadius, and desolated Thrace, because refused a church for the Arians.
496. Clovis, the first Christian king of France, crowned at Rheims; a glorious day among the Franks.
800. Charles, king of France, crowned at Rome emperor of the West. It was the commencement of a new Roman era, and he took the name of Charlemagne.